Arunachal needs to balance conservation and sustainable development: Prof. Amitava Mitra

Noted economist Professor Amitava Mitra has underlined the need for Arunachal to strike balance between environment conservation and sustainable development.

Prof Mitra was speaking at the UGC-sponsored two-day national seminar on 'Livelihood and sustainable development strategies in North Eastern States of India', here today. He defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Speaking on the topic 'Environment and development: Issues and challenges', he highlighted the rich flora and fauna resources of this Himalayan state, and hinted at high dependence of the masses on forests, quoting statistics.

He said the monetization of the traditional barter economy increased trade in timbers while illegal felling of trees gave birth to a 'neo-rich class'. "The proposed and executed hydropower projects have not taken into account the environmental impact; smuggling of organs of endangered animals increased' and problem of solid waste accumulation is increasing - all which have been posing a threat to the environment," he said.

Prof Mitra called for proper resource mapping and joint forest management for socio-economic uplift of the villagers and maintenance of ecological balance, action plan to encourage cash crops lice tea, rubber and coffee and setting up of non-timber-based industries, promotion of eco-tourism to facilitate sustainable development.

Forests, industry, mineral resources, medicinal plants, agri-horticulture and allied sectors, and hydropower projects are possible money spinners and could be sustainable sources of livelihood in Arunachal, said councillor Taba Yall Nabam.

"These natural resources could also generate huge employment and enrich the state coffer," she said.

"All policies and programmes of the government are aimed at sustainable development of the masses," said higher and technical education joint director Dr Tejum Padu in his address.

"How committed and sincere we are in implementing the policies is the moot question," he said.

There are invariably protests whenever there is a new project proposed by the Centre, which jeopardizes the process of sustainable livelihood. The need of the hour is to bring attitudinal change to accelerate the process to achieve the goal, he said.

RKM Hospital secretary Partha Maharaj underscored the importance of education, saying it was directly linked to development. The more the people are educated the better would become their livelihood.

Seminar convener Dr IH Singh said that livelihood and sustainable development is vital for economic development of the nation, which has been part of UN Millennium Goal 2020. The main determinants are based on geographical, demographical and economical considerations, he said, and called for policy formulation to achieve the goal. (ANI)

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